Charges filed in near drowning at Breckenridge's Grand Lodge

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Official charges have been filed by the 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office against Bianca Krakofsky of Colorado Springs in connection with the near drowning of an unsupervised child at a pool at the Grand Lodge in Breckenridge.

Krakofsky is charged with child abuse-negligence causing serious bodily injury, a Class 4 felony. She is scheduled for a first appearance at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 in Summit County Court.

The child, age 5, was in Krakofsky’s foster care on Oct. 5, 2013, when at approximately 4:15 p.m. the child was found unresponsive in a hot tub, according to a district attorney’s office news release. First responders attempted to revive the child before he was flown to a Denver hospital.

The charge comes after a lengthy investigation by the Breckenridge Police Department, which was conducted in consultation with the district attorney’s office. If convicted, Krakofsky could be sentenced to prison, the release stated.

“No matter which way you look at it, this was a tragedy,” said 5th Judicial District Attorney Bruce Brown in the release. “However, actions have consequences, and sometimes a person’s inaction has consequences too.

“Part of the message of this prosecution is to serve as a warning to the public that the vulnerable young deserve our attention all the time because we, as adults, are their protectors.”

Brown also stressed parents and guardians take the time to review safety measures and precautions when children are around water:

• Always supervise children near water in a pool, tub, bucket or ocean. It only takes inches of water to drown a small child;

• Designate a “Water Watcher” to maintain constant watch over children in the pool during gatherings;

• Always wear a life jacket in open water;

• Always swim with a buddy;

• Keep a phone at poolside so that you never have to leave the pool to answer the phone and can call for help if needed;

• Learn CPR and rescue breathing;

• Keep a life-saving ring, shepherd’s hook and CPR instructions mounted at poolside or make sure you know where such instructions are posted;

• Empty water in buckets or wading pools after use;

• If a child is missing, always check the pool first because seconds count;